_________________Jim Lewis - lewisjk@windstream.net - Western NC - People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plumb full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone. Uncle Dave Macon, old-time country musician

I have a pear tree (full size) in my yard that gets pretty mind blowing fall colors and has some great gnarled branches and smallish leaves. Does anyone have any advice / comments / etc. on propagating? Do they respond well to air layering and if so what time of year? Thanks

This little tree is second generation from seed. It's parent tree was the result of a batch of very tasty pear relish Jackie made back in 1976. The cores were just tossed out the back into the edge of the woods. I transplanted six of the resulting sprouts to my driveway and before we moved they'd all grown to 35 feet and were a sight to behold spring and fall. This one is a seedling from one of those, dug in 1992. It has never flowered, but the fall color makes up for that.

I'd guess they would layer fairly easily. They're a member of the Rose family, of course, which means cuttings will require a bit of luck and a very strong dose of rooting hormone. Pear seeds require cold stratification, according to Dirr. Of course, we let Ma Nature take care of that.

I'd layer after the last threat of frost.

_________________Jim Lewis - lewisjk@windstream.net - Western NC - People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plumb full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone. Uncle Dave Macon, old-time country musician